Sheltair's new $25 million hangar-office complex now open

Aviation development company Sheltair will celebrate the grand-opening of its new $25 million westside office-hangar complex at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Wednesday, Nov. 13. In October, Sheltair completed the 134,806 square foot facility on more than 11 acres of land on the west side of the airfield, as part of a three-phase development project. (Arlene Satchell)

The roughly $25 million complex marks the completion of the first phase of a three-part development project at the Fort Lauderdale facility that's expected to be done in 2015, Sheltair said.

The aviation development company, which has 20 airport facilities in Florida, New York and Georgia, provides fuel, ground handling and other services to owners and operators of corporate and leisure aircraft. It also builds and leases hangars and office space to aviation-related companies.

"Sheltair strives to be on the cutting edge of aviation construction and development, and this project coupled with the advantages and growth potential at this airport is and will be a wonderful example in the aviation community," Sheltair CEO Jerry Holland said in a statement.

Work on the 134,806-square-foot facility at 1470 Lee Wagener Blvd. was completed in October after breaking ground in April 2012. Spread across more than 11 acres, the complex is the first new general aviation facility to be built on the airport's west side in more than a decade, according to Sheltair.

Increased demand for its services, customers' expanding fleets and the Fort Lauderdale airport's rising international profile were among reasons for the expansion, company officials have said. Sheltair is also seeking to grow its business from Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Europe.

"We are pleased Sheltair Aviation has decided to expand their facilities at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport," said Kent George, the airport's director of aviation.

Beside its traditional services, Sheltair also manages the country's busiest general aviation federal inspection station for international flights here in Fort Lauderdale, George noted.

Tenants in the new facility will have access to Sheltair's round-the-clock terminal, which offers aircraft refueling, cleaning, a 24-hour U.S. Customs office, Hertz car rental, cafe and executive boardroom and other amenities. They'll also have direct access to the airport's new 8,000-foot south runway, now under construction and set to open September 2014.